Front cover winner
Many thanks to The Motherhub, Lindley for supplying
some fantastic Summer paintings and drawings.

Congratulations to Molly Baird, who created the
beautiful, colourful Summer butterfly print. Molly’s prize is
a three-week trial of Pyjama Drama workshops plus a CD
of original music used in class. The Prize has been kindly
donated by:
Christine Hudson
of Pyjama Drama, Huddersfield
www.pyjamadrama.com
A very special thank you to all parents and members of The
Motherhub who helped to co-ordinate the competition.

Classes and Birthday Parties in Hud
To try a class or for more information pleas
01924 919422 or email christine@

WELCOME
WELCOME!
A very warm welcome to the Summer issue of The Scallymag.

This is a particularly special issue as it
coincides with our birthday, marking
our first successful year of serving
Huddersfield families. We celebrated
in style with a delicious cake courtesy
of The Almond Bakery in Shelley.
We are also marking the occasion
by upping our page count, providing
you with even more news, features,
information about what’s happening
in and around Kirklees and ideas for
fantastic family days out.

Over the past 12 months I have been privileged to meet a
whole host of inspirational local people working to provide a
variety of initiatives that help to improve the lives of children and
their families.
Staff and volunteers at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, our
chosen charity for the year, figure among them and in this issue,
you can catch up with all that has been going on at the hospice
and its plans for the future.
Not only that, but you can read about the success of
Huddersfield Town Foundation’s Early Kick-Off breakfast clubs,
keep up-to-date with fairtrade duo, fairandfunky, at Kirklees
Markets and learn about the opening of LoveBread, a community
supported bakery.
Our fabulous double page spread on Huddersfield Food and
Drink Festival 2013 will tell you everything you need to know
about what’s on for families at the biggest free event of its kind in
Yorkshire.
We also welcome Jackie Braddock, a local nutritionist, to our
health page and provide advice on healthy eating, food allergies
and free vitamin schemes.
We tackle family legal matters with Makin Dixon, find out
how Freedom Personal Safety workshops can help your children
learn about everyday dangers and focus on childcare options.
Fiona Woodhead tells the story of how she became a
published children’s author, there is our regular literacy page with
The Children’s Bookshop, Lindley, a chance to win tickets to an
outdoor performance at the Lawrence Batley Theatre and you
can find out how to get your kids involved in this year’s Summer
Reading Challenge.
Don’t forget to check out our diary pages to find out what’s
on, our favourite Father’s Day events and keep an eye out for
information on Lindley Carnival and Holmfirth Arts Festival.
I hope you enjoy our bumper Summer issue and would
like to take this opportunity to thank all those who
have made it possible, particularly our
advertisers and schools, whose support
ensures we can continue to bring you a
quality family publication absolutely free.

To discuss and book advertising space, ideas for future
articles or just to let us know what you think of the
magazine, please get in touch by any of the following
means:
0 11 Church St, Rastrick, Brighouse, HD6 3NF
8 elaine@thescallymag.co.uk
 07976 707415 / 01484 722 662
R www.thescallymag.co.uk
The Scallymag (North Huddersfield)
@ScallymagHudds

irklees Markets have
teamed up with
fairandfunky to
offer free children’s craft
workshops with a fairtrade
theme.
The Scallymag caught
up with Helen Robinson
and Sophie Bebb, who
set up the community
interest company just
over a year ago, while
they were busy making
recycled superhero
masks to celebrate World
Fairtrade Day 2013.
The pair were at
UpMarket Sundays – a
new monthly craft and
local produce market
which takes place at Huddersfield Open
Market at Brook Street.
Helen said: “The workshops are
absolutely free and they are so easy for
people to come along to, join in and

KIRKLEES
MARKETS GET

interact with their kids.”
As well as occasional
appearances at UpMarket
Sundays, fairandfunky can
now be found at Queensgate
Market, Huddersfield, on the
third Saturday of
every month for
a ‘SCRAPtastic’ workshop,
part of the ‘Make It and
Take It’ series. On the first
Thursday of every month,
they also head to Holmfirth
Market for a drop-in
workshop.
Sophie said: “The
workshops have been
really popular, especially
the Queensgate Market
ones. There are so many
people regularly walking
through and they often
leave what their children have made, go
off and do their shopping and then collect
it on the way back.”
The pair are passionate about
positive change for the environment and
challenging established attitudes, with

a view to encouraging people to shop
responsibly, paying particular attention to
where their products have come from.
Aside from their regular workshops,
they are planning a fairandfunky Family
Fun Day which is due to take place on
August 4, 2013 at Holmfirth Market
between 10am and 4pm. As well as a
recycling craft workshop, there will be a
variety of stalls, games and live music. On
September 22, 2013, they are planning a
fairandfunky Family Food Day.
Fairandfunky will also be making an
appearance at this year’s Huddersfield
Food and Drink Festival with three
different workshops on offer and have
been heavily involved in ‘Holmfirth
Driftwood’, a project in association with
Holmfirth Arts Festival – see our special
features for full details of both events.

ow often do you shop
locally – all the time,
every other day, once a
week or not at all?

When the hustle and bustle of daily
life takes over, it is easy to opt for the
convenience of a supermarket rather than
visiting independent stores.
But with the recent horse meat
scandal, more of us are beginning to
question the origin of our food and the
ingredients it contains before we are
willing to serve it up to our families.
LoveBread, a new community
supported bakery, which has opened its
doors in Brighouse, is hoping to inspire
people to buy locally and take small steps
in changing the way they shop.
Founding member, Carole Roberts,
said: “All our bread is handmade using
local ingredients to traditional recipes with
the four key ingredients – organic flour,
water, yeast and salt. There are no artificial
flavourings or preservatives in any of our

4

bread.”
The bakery, at Martin
Street, was officially opened
by the retiring Mayor of
Calderdale, Councillor John Hardy, who
cut a ribbon around the newly refurbished
bread oven which was bought via Ebay
using a grant from the Community
Foundation for Calderdale – the Mayor’s
charity.
LoveBread is a not for profit
organisation staffed by bakers and
volunteers from the community.
Carole said: “It was quite
overwhelming to see such support for
our project – many thanks to everyone
who has helped us get to this point and
beyond.”
The bakery sold out of bread within an
hour on the day it opened but loaves are
readily available on Saturdays between
10am and 12pm from the bakehouse
and also from Ryecorn Wholefoods,
Brighouse, and a number of farm shops
including Villa Farm at Bradford Road,

Huddersfield.
LoveBread also runs a bread club
based on a subscription model which
guarantees customers fresh bread and
enables the bakery to plan ahead.
Fran Lister, of LoveBread, said: “Over
the past 12 months we have worked with
volunteers to provide real bread for our
community at local markets, through
workshops and in local schools.
“We want LoveBread to grow and
there are plenty of ways for people to get
involved in working with us.”
Visit www.lovebread.org.uk to find out
about children’s bread making workshops,
future events and how you can get
involved in the project.

FOCUS ON SCHOOLS
MAKING SURE KIDS GET A
HEALTHY BREAKFAST

Headteacher Dora

Plant and Mandy

Taylor from the Tow

n Foundation

T

he Town Foundation – the official
registered charity of Huddersfield Town
– has opened the doors of its 10th Early
Kick-Off breakfast club.
Children at Dalton Junior, Infant and Nursery School at
Mayfield Avenue, Dalton, will be the latest in a long line of pupils
across the district to receive free healthy and nutritious breakfasts
thanks to the charity’s support.
The Scallymag caught up with youngsters and staff at Ashbrow
School, Ash Meadow Close, Sheepridge, to find out how popular
their Early Kick-Off breakfast club has been since it started dishing
up meals in March.
Dora Plant, headteacher of the school, said: “We are very
appreciative of the support given to us by the Town Foundation
and those that provide this great service.
“We have been very pleased with the take-up of the breakfasts
and average about 90 a day, sometimes over 100.
“Having a healthy and nutritious breakfast means the children
are more ready to learn, their behaviour is good, it helps with
attendance and provides a more relaxed, informal introduction to
the school day – the club has had a very positive impact.”
She said the children have enjoyed visits from players and
representatives, including club ambassador Andy Booth and have
also taken part in a variety of projects before school including
needlework.
Early Kick-Off breakfast clubs were launched in November
2012, the first being at Christ Church Church of England Academy,
Deighton Road, Huddersfield.
Mandy Taylor, corporate fundraising officer for the Town
Foundation, said: “We have topped 23,000 breakfasts being
served since the scheme started.
“The idea for the Early Kick-Off breakfast clubs is thanks to
Town Foundation trustee, Dean Hoyle, who was alarmed by the
instances of poverty and hunger in schools, not just in the UK, but
in Kirklees.
“Of course we would love to be able to fund every child in
Kirklees but that just isn’t possible, so we look at schools that
have a high instance of free school meals and those which have
demonstrated a real need.”
The Town Foundation relies on the support of a number of
local businesses including Stafflex, Caterer’s Choice, Total Food
Service and Kirklees Catering Services, to name a few, to enable
the scheme to run.
The food is delivered to the schools by the Town Foundation
and it is then up to staff and volunteers to make the breakfasts,
ensuring that children have the right start to the day. The clubs are
available to all pupils attending participating schools.
Early Kick-Off breakfast clubs is just one of many charitable
initiatives supported by the Town Foundation.

Early Kick-Off breakfast club

ol

volunteers at Ashbrow Scho

e breakfast club
uis enjoying th

l and Lo
Raynor, Terrel

5

PERFORMING ARTS
LOVE THE LIMELIGHT?
Six weeks can seem like an age when you’re a child. For
parents, it can sometimes feel like longer!
If your kids like singing, dancing, acting and being the centre
of attention, why not break the holiday boredom and enrol
them for Limelight Summer School.
The school, which is run by husband and wife team, James
and Lisa McCann, will be at St Matthew’s Parish Centre,
Rastrick, between August 5 and August 9, 2013 from 10am to
3pm and is open to children aged between six and 15.
Limelight, a successful performing arts school, has been
offering weekly classes for several years with James teaching
drama and Lisa, a qualified dance teacher, leading street dance
for a variety of age groups.
James said: “At Limelight, the emphasis is firmly on
creativity. We don’t just hand out scripts and dole out
directions.
“We encourage participants via drama games, script writing,
impressions, joke telling, singing and much more.”
The pair originally met in 2000 when working internationally
in the entertainment industry. James has written and directed
shows for Centre Parcs, MacDonald Hotels and various national
theatre tours while Lisa has performed all over the world and
choreographed numerous hotel and theatre shows throughout
the UK.
Of their first summer school, James said: “We’ll be working
towards a Friday afternoon show, with free entry for friends and
family, and helping kids improve their confidence and hone
their performance skills.
“You don’t have to be an existing Limelight student, but if
you are, you’ll finally get to experience everything we have to
offer.”
To book for the whole week costs £75 and sibling discounts
are available. Booking is essential and a £20 deposit is required.
Tel. 07779 154126 or email lisa@limelighttheatre.biz for more
information.

WIN TICKETS
TO SEE DOTTY
THE DRAGON

The Scallymag has teamed up with the Lawrence Batley
Theatre to offer you the chance to win tickets to see
‘Dotty the Dragon.’
Following the success of last year’s ‘The Owl Who
Was Afraid of the Dark’, Blunderbus once again is set to
take the theatre’s ‘Imagine’ series outside.
With fabulous puppets and live music, Dotty, the baby
dragon, will be appearing in the courtyard for a special
outdoor performance on Saturday August 10 and Sunday
August 11, 2013, at 11am and again at 2pm.
Dotty lives at the top of a mountain with her grumpy
dad, Mr Dragon, but in the village below, everyone fears
for their lives because dragons eat children! Not this one
though, Dotty is a vegetarian.
The Show is suitable for children aged between
three and seven and those attending should bring
blankets, chairs and suitable clothing for the hour-long
performance.
The Scallymag is offering two pairs of free tickets to
see the show. To be in with a chance of winning, all you
have to do is answer the following question correctly and
post or email your answer to the Lawrence Batley Theatre
together with your name, address and contact telephone
number or email address by Monday July 29, 2013 at
12pm.

Question: What is the name of Dotty’s grumpy dad?
Email entries to marketing@thelbt.org or post them to
Marketing, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street,
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 2SP. The two winners,
who will each receive a pair of tickets, will be chosen
at random after the closing date and will be notified on
Wednesday July 31, 2013.

6

forget me not children’S hospice
FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM NEW GARDEN

F

orget Me Not has revealed
plans for an inspirational
new garden to be built
at the site of its children’s
hospice in Huddersfield.

The garden will be created by
Greenfingers, a charity dedicated to
shaping gardens at hospices across the
UK. It will be a multi-faceted space aimed
at enhancing the experience of families
using the hospice.
Initial ideas include a super sensory
space for children with communication
issues, a teenage retreat for socialising
away from younger children as well as a
growing and nurturing area.
Matthew Wilson, chairman of
Greenfingers, said: “We are delighted to
be working with the team at Forget Me
Not to create a much needed garden for
all those who benefit from the hospice’s
work.

“We are aiming to create a
wonderfully stimulating and inspiring
outdoor environment that will have a
direct, positive impact on the children and
young people who come in to contact
with the hospice.

“Greenfingers believe time spent
in a therapeutic outdoor space can be
a welcome salve for the children and
families who benefit from the tremendous
work at Forget Me Not Children’s
Hospice, providing precious family time
away from the bedside.
“With such an inspiring and
worthwhile cause, we hope the people of
Yorkshire will be encouraged to donate
and get involved with the project. There’s
a long way to go and donations, big and

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
THE head girl at Hipperholme Grammar School recently raised
£800 for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice by taking part in a
sponsored skydive.

Gabriella Capone, joined the hospice’s
‘Purple Posse’ – fundraisers that take part in extreme challenges
– for the tandem skydive at Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire.
The 18-year-old A-level student said: “It was an amazing
experience. I would just like to thank everyone who has
supported and sponsored me for the skydive. It is very much
appreciated.”
Sue Oliver, marketing and admissions manager at the
school, said: “Hipperholme Grammar School is extremely
proud to be a corporate member of the Forget Me Not Hospice
as a ‘99er’ and we try to support their work in any way we can.
“We are so proud of Gabby and her commitment to helping
the families of children with life limiting conditions in our area.”

small, can make a very real contribution
to achieving our goal of providing
this wonderful garden – a place full of
happiness and fun – for all those who use
Forget Me Not.”
Through its Rosy Cheeks Appeal,
Greenfingers aims to build 10 gardens at
hospices throughout the UK.
Vicki Finlay, head of care at the
hospice, said: “We are thrilled that
Greenfingers have chosen to support us
in developing our garden. We understand
the important role that the natural
environment can play in palliative, end
of life and bereavement care and have
witnessed the positive impact it can have
on a family’s quality of life.
“Our young people are bursting with
ideas for the garden and are looking
forward to working with the Greenfingers
team to make these ideas come alive.”
To donate to Greenfingers and
support the plans for the hospice
garden, Tel. 01494 674749, email info@
greenfingerscharity.org.uk, or visit www.
greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

NEW VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED

The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice is on the lookout for
new volunteers to support its work caring for children with life
limiting illnesses.
Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding experience
and there are lots of roles available from joining a fundraising
team, working in one of the 11 Forget Me Not stores, to
administration and marketing positions.
A spokesman for the hospice said: “We welcome anyone
who is keen to help, passionate about the work that we do and
comes with a smile!”
Richard Bond, who is a voluntary van driver, said: “Being
one of the hospice’s volunteers is like being a member of a
family.
“I hope that I contribute in a little way to improving the lives
of the children and families cared for.”
To find out more about volunteering visit www.
forgetmenotchild.co.uk or contact Wendy Bentley on Tel.
01484 411040 or by email at wendy.bentley@forgetmenotchild.
co.uk.

The festival, which will take place from
Thursday August 8 to Sunday August 11,
2013 is now in its thirteenth year and is
considered to be the biggest free festival
of its kind in Yorkshire, attracting over
100,000 visitors to the town.
We first visited the festival last
year with our three children and were
amazed not only by the array of food and
entertainment on offer but by the crowds
that flock to this fabulous annual event.
Whether you’re a ‘foodie connoisseur’
or more of a novice, the festival is a
brilliant way of introducing children to
the sights and smells of a busy market,
encouraging them to choose healthy
options and nurturing a geographical and
cultural understanding of where different
foods come from and the processes
involved.
But while we wandered amid the
packed stalls that lined St George’s Square
with a two-year-old who loves nothing
more than to spend a morning shopping
at a local market, little did we know that
the food is just part of what the festival has
to offer.
This year, the festival boasts more than
70 stalls and over 30 demonstrations and
the Kid’s Zone, situated at the top of the
square by the Head of Steam, promises to
be a hive of activity for little ones.
Festival manager, Cathy Burger said:
“One of the best things about the festival

8

is the family atmosphere. It’s great to see
kids and adults browsing the stalls and
finding new foods to try and buy.
“Building on the success of previous
years, we’ve added in more children’s
workshops this year and have got
plenty to get your little ones excited and
interested.”
Minister of Chocolate, Carl Turner, will
be giving youngsters the chance to make
chocolate treats every day of the festival.
However, if your kids prefer savoury
to sweet, be sure to visit on the last day of
the festival for a pizza making workshop
with Pizzatainment, where they’ll learn to
stretch and toss dough.
The Life Style Kitchen will be keeping
children busy planting farm to fork veggie
characters and showing children that
healthy and nutritious food can also be
delicious.
Fairandfunky will be running a variety
of arts and craft workshops, making
everything from masks to insects from an
array of recycled materials and promoting
fairtrade and environmental themes.
All of the activities in the kid’s Zone
are free and in addition to the workshops,
the festival will also include face painting
and balloon modelling.
For adults, the cookery
demonstrations, which will be running
every day, provide an ideal opportunity
to pick up some new tips and sample the
many delights prepared by the chefs on
hand.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the
festivities continue with live music, so why
not book the babysitter and return after

dusk for some alfresco cocktails and food.
Full details of the festival and fringe
events, sponsored by the John Smith’s
Stadium and organised by Huddersfield
Town Centre Partnership, can be found at
www.foodanddrinkfestival.org.uk.

OUT & ABOUT
diary!
Make a note in your
Thursday August 8
, 2013
to Sunday August 11

Ministry of Chocolat
e
The Life Style Kitchen
TBC
The Life Style Kitchen
Ministry of Chocolat
e
The Life Style Kitchen

Sunday August 11:

12.00pm – 12.45pm

Ministry of Chocolate

1.15pm - 2.00pm

Pizzatainment

2.30pm – 3.15pm

Ministry of Chocolate

3.45pm – 4.30pm

Pizzatainment

9

HEALTH
PUT A
RAINBOW ON
YOUR PLATE

Most of us know the words to the popular
song, ‘Sing a Rainbow’, but did you know
it is important to eat a rainbow every day?
Eating a variety of different coloured
foods encourages children to enjoy a
more balanced diet.
Brightly coloured fruit and vegetables
provide antioxidants that help skin and
heart health, vitamins and minerals are
important for growth and fibre helps
regulate digestion.
Getting the whole family involved
helps kids to become enthusiastic about
their five-a-day and may mean fussy eaters
are more willing to try new foods.
When shopping, let the children
choose one or two foods to try. Discuss

NEW FOOD ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP
A Golcar mum-of-two has set up a new
support group for parents whose children
suffer from food allergies.
Katie Dixon, 25, was
prompted to set up the
Free From group following
the negative experiences
she had of dealing with her
son’s intolerance to dairy.
When Joe, now two,
was a few weeks old,
Katie realised there was
something wrong but faced
an uphill battle.
She said: “I really struggled with him.
He would be up all night screaming,
was sick after every bottle, had constant
diarrhoea, terrible eczema and he even
smelled of acid.
“I already had a daughter, Lilly, who

at the time was only 16-months-old, so I
found the whole situation exhausting.
“It affected my relationship with him
as he was hard to connect with and
I couldn’t understand why he was
always so unhappy all of the time.
Other people just saw him as a fussy
baby but his father, Ashley, and I
knew different.”
At eight-months-old, Joe was
diagnosed as being dairy intolerant
and was referred to a dietician. His
parents cut dairy out of his diet and
within 72 hours his symptoms cleared.
Katie said: “He is due to meet an
allergy specialist and we finally have a
better understanding of his needs.”
However, the couple encountered
other hurdles such as a lack of awareness
when eating out and poor attitudes when

BEST START FOR BABY

NHS Kirklees has developed a scheme to provide free vitamins to all pregnant women,
mothers with babies under the age of one and children up to four-years-old.
It forms part of the statutory national Healthy Start programme and is designed to
act as a nutritional safety net for disadvantaged families.
Marie Haigh of the Yorkshire Children’s Centre explained that the vitamins element
of the scheme is not means-tested or linked to benefits.
She said: “We are all aware of how important it is for pregnant women and young
children to have a balanced diet and these supplements are specially designed to
ensure that they are getting the recommended daily allowance.”
In addition, qualifying pregnant women and families with young children are
provided with vouchers for milk, infant formula and fresh fruit and vegetables.
To be eligible for vouchers, you must be pregnant or have a child under four-yearsold and be in receipt of either Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,
income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Child Tax Credit.
Application forms are available from health professionals or can be downloaded
from www.healthystart.nhs.uk.
Those not eligible for the voucher element of the Healthy Start programme can still
be referred for free vitamins via a doctor’s surgery, health centre or children’s centre.

10

they have asked about the ingredients
used. The lack of support encouraged
Katie to set up the group, initially on
Facebook. She has since recruited four
other Huddersfield women to help run
it – Lindsay Miller, Dayna Harrison, Vicki
Armstrong and Faye Ratcliffe.
Katie said: “Food allergy and
intolerance can feel very scary, very
isolating and it’s really hard to understand
until you’ve experienced it. We hope to
reach the people who need us and offer
them the support we never had on our
journeys.”
You can join the Facebook group
by visiting www.facebook.com/#!/
groups/217100398424948/.

HEALTH

HEALTH
and
FITNESS

WITH JACKIE BRADDOCK
i, I’m Jackie, a nutritionist living in
Brighouse. I’d like to tell you my story of
why and how I developed my interest in
following a healthy lifestyle.

H

I was physically active during most of my teens and
twenties and was never off sick until I began to suffer with
Crohn’s Disease in July 2000.
Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease and symptoms
include severe cramping, sickness and diarrhoea. I could
barely keep food down and my weight rapidly plummeted
from seven and a half stones to just six stones.
Initially I was told it was irritable bowel syndrome but
after being referred to a specialist in November 2001, I was
diagnosed with Crohn’s.
In January 2001, the inflammation was so severe I had to
undergo a resection operation where the restricted bowel
section is removed and joined up again.
Unfortunately, the doctors had not realised how
malnourished I was and the resection collapsed the next
day, resulting in septicaemia, pneumonia and peritonitis with
just a five per cent chance of survival.
I survived, though by then I only weighed five stones
and had to have a temporary ileostomy bag fitted. The types
of food I could eat was very restricted and I was advised to
avoid fruit and vegetables in favour stodgy dishes such as pie
or processed food.
It was not until I had reached eight stones – three
months after my resection - that I was allowed to go back to
work and have my ileostomy removed in December 2001.
Due to scarring from the procedures I underwent, I
remained quite inactive for several years and now have
asthma, eczema and arthritis related to my Crohn’s Disease.
Once my weight reached 10 stones, I decided to start
introducing good food back into my diet and so began my
nutrition journey.
Due to the operation, I am not able to absorb nutrients
very well which means I need to eat healthily so that I can
keep my digestive tract clean and keep inflammation at bay.
Today I am doing a job that I am passionate about. Due
to busy lifestyles, many people are still eating the wrong
types of food, using incorrect portion sizes or still eating
even though they are already full. This has resulted in an
increase in obesity and obesity related illnesses.
I help people get to grips with what they eat and drink,
showing them how to make the necessary lifestyle and
dietary changes so they can turn their health around.

In future, Jackie will be examining a range
of health and fitness related issues in The
Scallymag - be sure to check out her Feel
Good Naturally page for top tips on how
to keep your family in shape.

These diary pages are the heart of The
Scallymag; the main reason the magazine
exists and probably the most useful part
for parents and carers.
We aim to list as many activities for
0-5 year olds in the area. We do our best
to ensure the information is up-to-date
(there will probably be some changes
every issue).
However we are not infallible. If
you know of any changes, or of any
new groups or courses that should be
included, please get in touch by using any
of the contact details on page 3. Listing in
this section is FREE.

Some of the activities have limited
places, some only run in term time
and some may be cancelled at short
notice. We always advise where
possible, phoning ahead before
setting out to any activity and, for
some of the courses or lessons
booking is essential.

or those among us who
remember reading ‘The
Secret Garden’ by Frances
Hodgson Burnett, you may
recall the wonder you felt
at discovering and exploring
the scents and sights of the
hideaway with Mary and Colin.

Nestled on the outskirts of Ripon,
North Yorkshire, Newby Hall, like the
fictional Misselthwaite Manor, enjoys its
very own secret gardens which provide
an enchanting, magical playground that
children and their parents will never tire
of.
The 40 acre site owes much of its
design to Major Edward Compton, who
inherited the estate in 1921, creating
compartmented gardens, like rooms off
the main passage of a house.
When we visited, we were lucky that
the weather was on our side, so despite
Newby Hall having been built in the style
of Sir Christopher Wren with Robert Adam
interiors, we managed to spend the entire
day outdoors.
For families, Newby Hall, the historic
home of the Comptons, has a lot to offer
if you can entice the children away from

16

playing hide and seek in the extensive
gardens.
It is equipped with a large adventure
playground suitable for all ages. We had
six children in our group ranging from a
one-year-old up to 14.
While the toddlers were kept amused
by the swings, slides and sandpit, the
older ones enjoyed the aerial slide, fort,
rope swing and pedalo boats, which sit
on a man-made stream which loops the
playground.
For warm days there is also ‘Tarantella’
– an interactive water play area where
six jets of water spring out of the ground
forming arcs. Make sure you pack
swimming costumes and towels!
Newby Hall Miniature Railway is
possibly one of the best we’ve come
across and believe me, having already had
one Thomas the Tank Engine enthusiast in
the family, closely followed by his younger
brother, we’ve visited quite a few of them
over the years!
It first opened in 1971 but has since
been extended and now runs alongside
the River Ure in the shape of a dumb-bell
loop, offering wonderful views of the
gardens.
While there is a designated picnic
area, there are no such areas within the

gardens, most probably to discourage
littering. However, it would have been
nice to find a quiet spot within, so the
children could play nearby while parents
could relax and keep a watchful eye.
If it isn’t picnic weather though, I can
vouch for the restaurant which serves
a selection of homemade dishes from
locally sourced ingredients and the most
fantastic array of cream cakes. It isn’t
difficult to find something for fussy eaters.
Newby Hall is open from 11am until
5.30pm daily until September 29, 2013,
though is closed on Mondays in June and
September.
Access to the house is by guided tour
only, which takes about an hour, and is
available on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets for the tour cannot be booked in
advance unless it is for groups of 15 or
more. As we had two restless toddlers in
our party, we thought it best to skip the
house tour on this occasion and make the
most of the outdoors.
For a family of two adults and three
children, a family ticket for the gardens
costs £38. See the Newby Hall website for
full details of ticket prices and discounts
available.
By Elaine Jinks

NEWS
NEED FAMILY LAW ADVICE?

S

the West Yorkshire firm’s Huddersfield
office on Queen Street said: “It is a drop
in service so there is no need to make
an appointment. We started holding the
sessions because I think a lot of people
are unsure about coming to see a solicitor
Unfamiliarity with the law, the financial and think it is going to be a very formal
costs associated with visiting a solicitor
and scary experience.
and the idea of speaking to a complete
“People also get worried about being
stranger about very personal
spotted at a solicitor’s office, particularly
problems are all off-putting.
if they haven’t yet discussed
But family law
the particular problem
specialists, Makin Dixon,
with their partner or family.
want to help families access
On the other hand, Brian
legal advice away from
Jackson House has a lot of
the formal and imposing
families going in and out
atmosphere of a traditional
as family mediation takes
solicitor’s office.
place there along with all the
They now offer a free
activities associated with a
family legal clinic on the
Sure Start Centre.”
first and third Thursday
She said in the four
Family Solicitor
of every month between
months
the sessions have
Jennifer Stroud
2pm and 4pm at the Brian
been running, people have
Jackson Centre, New
sought advice on contact
North Parade, Huddersfield.
issues when children have been in
Jennifer Stroud, a solicitor based at
care, adoption, domestic violence,

eeking legal advice on
complex issues that
affect family relationships
can seem a daunting prospect.

A

injunctions on an emergency basis, marital
breakdown, sorting out financial issues
following a break-up and concerns about
who the children will live with.
During the sessions Jennifer said she
usually deals with up to three cases and
if further action is required, Makin Dixon
can offer guidance on how to apply for
legal aid.
She said: “The people that we have
seen so far have been really pleased about
the sessions because they didn’t know
who to turn to or where to go.”

DON’T TELL KIDS TO ‘STAY SAFE’
– TEACH THEM HOW

ll children are naturally
inquisitive, ask a
multitude of questions
and enjoy exploring the world
around them, but the majority
of parents would agree that
there are some topics that
they find difficult to tackle.
We all want our children to stay
safe and to know how to respond
appropriately in potentially risky or
dangerous situations, but how do we raise
these issues without scaring them?
Freedom Personal Safety, a social
enterprise project, run by Huddersfield
based Julie Tweedale, offers radKIDS
safety courses and workshops which aim
to equip children with the necessary skills
and confidence required to assess risks
properly.
Julie, who founded the enterprise with
Elaine Howard, initially trained in the USA
with RAD (Resist Aggression Defensively)
System and later qualified as a radKIDS
instructor in 2010. RAD is the leading self
defence organisation in North America.
She said: “As a parent, I know how
difficult it can be talking to your children
about keeping safe – we don’t want to

scare them but we know it is important
that they have some awareness of risks
and dangers.
“Our sessions focus on helping
children make safe decisions and we
use games and fun activities to engage
children and help them learn by doing, not
just listening.
“I believe it is important that our
children are able to play outside and
have some freedom – it is an important
aspect of childhood – and we feel
more comfortable doing this if we can
give them some awareness and simple
strategies to deal with tricky situations.”
The courses are available to children
between three and 12-years-old and are
delivered through schools, nurseries,
children’s centres and community settings.
Workshops are offered on a number
of different themes including road safety,
starting school, keeping safe at home and
when out and about, how to react in an
emergency, responding to adults who try
to trick you and dealing with bullying.
Sessions are tailored to the age of the
children and size of the group and are
taught through games and activities using
techniques such as role-play and creative
thinking.
Julie said: “Parents and carers learn to

discuss keeping safe with their children
and can continue these discussions and
games at home.”
Freedom Personal Safety also offers
courses to parents on how to broach the
subject of sex education with children,
avoiding the need for a ‘facts of life’ talk.
The informal course covers physical
and emotional changes, when and how
to talk to your child, what they will learn
at school as well as books and resources
which can be used at home.
Personal safety courses are
available for teenagers and women.
For more information, visit www.
freedompersonalsafety.co.uk.

Julie Tweedale

17

FOCUS ON CHILDCARE
IS HIRING A NANNY MORE COST EFFECTIVE?

M

any working parents may feel that
hiring a nanny is a luxury afforded
only by the rich and famous but
Huddersfield and Holmfirth Nannies is keen to
put that myth to bed.

Rachel Bradley, who has 23 years worth of childcare
experience, took over the agency in 2011 and as mum to two
young children, understands the emotional strain parents feel
when faced with having to leave their child to return to work.
She said: “There are a variety of different childcare options.
Childminders and day nurseries are the best known ones but I
think that nannies are often overlooked because they are seen
as an expensive option only affordable to the rich and famous.
“This may have been the case in the past, however,
nowadays with the introduction of Ofsted registered nannies,
parents can put their childcare vouchers towards the cost of a
nanny’s salary.”
For families with two or more children requiring regular
childcare, a nanny can often be the most cost effective option
as she is payable on an hourly rate, rather than per child.
A nanny can also help to resolve childcare issues for parents
who work shift patterns. The average opening and closing times
of nurseries, childminders and out-of-school clubs is 7.30am to
6pm Monday to Friday. However, nannies can be flexible for
those that work nights and weekends.
H&H Nannies, which has been running since 2009, serves
Kirklees as well as Halifax and Bradford.
Rachel said: “In this day and age children are woken
up at the crack of dawn, breakfast is a rushed affair or
even delayed until they arrive at nursery, their
childminder or breakfast club
at 7.30am.

18

“They are out of the house all day, being stimulated
to the max in a noisy room. As adults we all need some time to
relax, be in our own surroundings and to have a little quiet time,
so why should it be any different for children?
“A nanny will take your children where you would like them
to go, whether it is to the park to feed the ducks, the library or
spending an afternoon at home drawing or baking.”
While a nanny’s duties are primarily to care for the children,
she can also lend a hand with tasks such as washing and
ironing children’s clothes, cooking their meals or for an older
child, supervising homework, taking care of the school run and
accompanying them to after school activities.
All H&H Nannies have at least two years’ childcare
experience and/or at least a level 2 qualification. They are
interviewed face to face, must have completed a 12 hour
paediatric first aid course and have a recent CRB check.
“References are thoroughly checked,” said Rachel. “Only
those nannies most suited to a family’s requirements will be
put forward for a family to meet. H&H Nannies can place
night nannies, mother’s help, before and after school nannies,
babysitters, and we provide emergency cover to parents, day
nurseries and out of school clubs.”
Parents can feel daunted by employing a nanny but there
are a number of payroll companies that can deal with the
legalities on your behalf. There is no fee for families or nannies
to register with Huddersfield and Holmfirth Nannies. For more
information visit www.huddersfieldandholmfirthnannies.co.uk.

NEWS

I

FANCY A
COFFEE?
n these times of austerity,
everyone is finding life a little
harder.

According to Oxfam, more than half
a million Britons now regularly resort to
using food banks to stave off hunger.
But thanks to global movement,
Suspended Coffees, many cafes across
Huddersfield are supporting a new
scheme which enables people to get a
free hot drink via the generosity of other
customers.
Susan Dewhrst, who first read about
Suspended Coffees on Facebook, said
she loved the simplicity of the idea and
decided to bring it to the town.
She explained that the way the
scheme works is that a customer pays for
a coffee and the empty cup stays behind
the counter until the ‘suspended coffee’ is
claimed by a homeless person for free.
“We have got five cafes signed up
to take part,” said Susan, “Lindley Café
at Lidget Street, Lindley, Hanson’s Café
in Marsh and three in the town centre Queenie’s Coffee Shop at Queen Street,
Time Circa 2010 at Hammonds Yard and
Café Society at Byram Street.”
She said although the project had only
been running for a short time, already
she had head positive stories of children
who had saved their pocket money to buy
a suspended coffee and hoped others
would see it as a way of making a small
step towards helping others.

PARENTS SEEK SUPPORT FOR
THEIR SURE START CENTRE

P

arents associated with the Chestnut Children’s Centre
are seeking new members for the Chestnut Family
Forum which organises Sure Start supported events.

The forum meets at the centre at Chestnut Street, Sheepridge on the second
Wednesday of every month during term time from 9.45am to 11.45am.
A free creche is provided if places are booked in advance – the next meeting will
take place on July 10, 2013 and then on September 11, 2013.
The group also runs a walking group for parents who would like to get fit but
struggle to find the time for exercise. The sessions are free, buggy friendly and take
place at 12.30pm following the forum meeting.
Story and Rhyme Time is run in conjunction with the Chestnut Library and
Information Centre on the last Wednesday of every month from 10am to 10.45am
during term time.
Emma Stead, secretary of the forum, said: “Other sessions we are starting include
a baby cinema, a mother and toddler group and a women only swimming session
with their children.”

Katie Wade, who runs Lindley Café
with her mum, Sheila, said: “We saw the
scheme advertised on Facebook and
thought it was a really good idea and a
nice concept. Everyone we have spoken
to about it has been very supportive.”
Participating cafes have Suspended
Coffee displays in their windows or
behind the counter and Café Society
is trialling a voucher scheme to make it
easier for people to claim the free drinks.
For more information or
to get involved in the project,
visit www.facebook.com/
SuspendedCoffeesHuddersfield.

CARNIVAL TIME FOR LINDLEY
Lindley Carnival is set to be the best yet with games, rides, stalls,
music and entertainment galore.
The annual event will take place on June 29, 2013, between
1pm and 4pm and this year, the theme will be Armed Forces
Day.
The carnival, which began in 1945 and was revived six years
ago, will also raise money for the Forget Me Not Children’s
Hospice – The Scallymag charity for the year.
Councillor Cahal Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley), said: “I
have been fortunate to be involved with the carnival since
the beginning and the community group that support the
organisations and running of the carnival work really hard and

can be very proud of what has been achieved over the last six
years.
“Work takes place by the community group all year round
to make the carnival the best it can be. Once again we are
hoping for a good day for the carnival and people can come
and enjoy the day as part of a weekend of activities taking place
in Lindley.”
St Stephen’s Church at Lidget Street will also be hosting a
flower show over the weekend and on June 30, 2013, Lindley
10k, Lindley Fun Run and a Family Fun Day at Lindley Infant
School will take place.

eVENTS
OH WE DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE…
Holmfirth Arts Festival will be breaking out
the bunting and setting up the deckchairs
for this year’s event, which celebrates the
town’s unique role in the invention of the
great British seaside.
The festival, which runs from June 13,
2013 to June 23, 2013, includes music,
theatre, exhibitions, comedy, workshops,
walks as well as an array of family and
children’s events – many with a distinctly
seaside theme.
Bamforth’s Beryl will grace the façade
of the 100-year-old Picturedrome Cinema
to celebrate sponsorship from the famous
Holmfirth company, well known for its
seaside postcards.
Deckchairs will be placed around
the town from which visitors can write
postcards saying what they think of the
Holme Valley.
Festival director, Fiona Goh, said:
“We may be 60 miles from the nearest
beach but I’m fascinated by Holmfirth’s
unique and unexpected claim – through
Bamforth’s postcards – to be the inventor
of the great British seaside.
“Our festival of ideas explores the
town’s identity, past and present, and
there’s no reason why we can’t bring the
seaside to Holmfirth.
“In addition to our themed events,

visitors can take part in a postcard trail for
a chance to win a hamper of Holmfirth
goodies, and we even have illuminations
and fire sculptures on the opening
weekend.”
Families can enjoy The Last Resort, a
free day of seaside themed entertainment,
with Uncle Tacko’s Imaginarium and Flea
Circus.
Dads will get the opportunity to
experience den building in the woods on
Father’s Day and younger children can
be treated to a special performance by
theatre company Tutti Frutti.
For full details of festival events, visit
www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk.

Holmfirth Driftwood - Free
Fairandfunky have been working with several local
primary schools to create a trail of giant postcards
made from ‘Holmfirth Driftwood’ - recycled
materials. Collect a postcard from participating
venues, complete the trail by collecting a full set
of stickers and post your completed card in the
Festival Postbox, outside Imagine Toys, by June
22 for a chance to win a hamper of Holmfirth
goodies.

Saturday June 15 – 10am – 4pm

Upcycling, Make Do and Mend Workshops at
Holmfirth Market Hall - Free
Six different textile workshops on offer and there
may be a small charge for materials.

Sunday June 16 – 10am and 1pm

Into the Woods at Barnaby’s Nursery, Mearhouse
Farm - £5 (£3 concession), family tickets £15
Father’s Day den building, exploring, natural art
and enjoying hot chocolate over an open fire. Not
suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Sunday June 16 – 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Hue Boy at the Old Bridge Hotel - £6 (£4
concession)
A heart-warming, interactive tale, suitable for
children aged three to seven, presented by Tutti
Frutti Theatre Company.

Saturday June 22 – 11am – 4pm

The Last Resort at Victoria Park – Free
Get stuck into a sand sculpting workshop and
enjoy all the fun of the fair with Uncle Tacko’s
Imaginarium and Flea Circus.

REACH FOR THE STARS
Reach Performing Arts is a dance and drama agency which
encourages children to achieve their full potential at a fraction
of the cost.
It was set up in 2011 by Natalie Pinnock-Hamilton, after her
son, Rohan, trained in performing arts and gained a scholarship
to The Urdang Academy in London. He has since appeared
in productions of ‘Hairspray’, ‘Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat’ and ‘Riverdance.’
She said she realised there were many talented children
unable to build a future in performing arts due to financial
restrictions and founded Reach as a result.
She said: “We aim to open up avenues by giving young
people an opportunity to take part in drama and other activities
in preparation to attend auditions for stage, screen and
television.
“This also includes modelling for the catwalk or fashion. We
will work tirelessly to secure auditions to the best of our ability.”
Sessions take place on Fridays from 5pm to 7.15pm at
HD1 Dance, St John’s Road, Huddersfield and include three
disciplines – dance, drama and vocal training. Students are
expected to participate in all of them.
Dance incorporates many styles from ballet to street dance,
drama builds confidence, strengthens speech and encourages
vocal projection, while vocal training includes musical theatre.
Admission to Reach Performing Arts is by application form
and an informal audition. For further information, contact
Natalie Pinnock-Hamilton on Mob. 07786 651831.

21

LITERACY
MUM TURNED
CHILDREN’S
AUTHOR

H

ave you ever fantasised of being the
next Roald Dahl or J.K. Rowling?

Perhaps you’ve put pen to paper but never dreamed
of letting anyone else read your work. Maybe you’ve tried your
luck by sending sample chapters off to publishing houses only
to have your hopes dashed with polite rejection letters.
Fiona Woodhead, a mum-of-two with a story to tell, turned
to self-publishing her first book, ‘Once-upon-a-Slime.’ The book
about three slimy slugs proved such a success, that she is now
expanding into a whole series of children’s ‘Once-upon-a-Slime’
books based on a variety of creepy crawlies.
She said: “Since self-publishing my first children’s picture
book in November last year, I have lost count of how many
people have said that it has always been a dream of theirs to
write a children’s book.”
The idea for the book was sparked by stories that Fiona’s
father, Howard, used to tell her and her siblings as a child.
In 2010, while on maternity leave, she decided to write and
illustrate a book for him as a Christmas present.
However, the book was rejected by a number of publishers
and agents. Finally, she decided to take the plunge and pay to
get a small number of copies printed to show to schools and
shops.
She said: “I contacted a couple of local printing companies
and searched Google before finding a printer that wasn’t going
to break the bank.
“I did have to set up my own publishing company to obtain
ISBN barcodes, but it was only a few simple forms to fill in.

YOUR CHILDREN
ARE AMAZING
ALREADY. WE
JUST HELP THEM
PROVE IT.
From Reception to Year 11, NumberWorks’nWords afterschool tuition brings out the best in every student by:
• tailoring lessons according to each individual’s needs
• setting achievable goals and monitoring their progress
• developing our own programmes using only qualified
Maths and English experts
• following the national curriculum
• teaching Verbal
Reasoning skills
and strategies

Maths & English
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BOOK NOW!
Huddersfield
01484 487911

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Registered
with Ofsted

22

“It took just three weeks from making that decision to then
being sat looking at 250 copies of ‘Once-upon-a-Slime’ – a
garden tale about Max and three slugs. It was brilliant!”
Fiona, of Savile Park, Halifax, set up a website and a
Facebook page and within two months, all 250 copies had
been sold. Her second print run consisted of 1,000 copies.
“It is scary thinking of spending money on what could
potentially be a disaster, but it’s so true – you don’t know
until you try,” said Fiona. “Until you get some books in your
hands and pop into your local shops, you don’t know what will
happen.”
She is currently working on the second book in the series
based on the character of Spindler the spider. Having printed
a sample run to test on retailers and children, Fiona says she is
about to order her next 1,000 copies.
Her popularity as a children’s author now regularly sees her
attending schools to host craft and creative writing workshops.
For more information on the ‘Once-upon-a-Slime’ series,
visit: www.onceuponaslime.com.

SUMMER READING
CHALLENGE
Libraries across Kirklees are encouraging thousands of children to take part in this year’s
Summer Reading Challenge.
The challenge, organised nationally by literacy charity, The Reading Agency,
encourages children aged between four and 11 to read six books during the summer
holidays.
The theme for 2013 is ‘Creepy House’ and children can choose to read whichever
books they like including fact books, joke books, picture books or novels, as long as they
are borrowed from a library.
It is hoped that there will be reading champions to assist with the challenge at library
and information centres in Huddersfield, Birkby and Fartown, Lindley, Holmfirth, Mirfield,
Batley, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and the Greenwood Centre in Ravensthorpe.
More than 3,800 children across the district took part last year with 73% completing
the challenge.
Stephen Uttley, who specialises in English and Maths tuition at Ofsted registered
NumberWorks’nWords, Huddersfield, explains why he believes the Summer Reading
Challenge is a great opportunity: “It’s free and it’s fun to go and choose a book. One of
the best gifts you can give your child is to show and share with them the pleasure you get
from reading.
“Not everyone enjoys fiction. Children need to be allowed to choose what to read but
should be encouraged to try other materials too, for example history books or books on a
particular sport or a favourite activity.”

ummer is finally on its way so here’s
some suggestions to keep little minds
busy and stave off holiday boredom.

Summer Reads

Travel Sticker Book
by Usborne Activities (£5.99)
Put stickers on the bus, airport and car ferry plus there are
opportunities to add more detail to a camel train, an Amazon
adventure and Venice. Bound to keep them busy on long
journeys.
The RSPB Bumper Book of Wildlife Stories
by Pat Kelleher, illustrated by Daniel Howarth (£10.99)
Packed full of outdoor related mazes and matching puzzles
which are accompanied by a short animal related story. Perfect
for when you’re out and about in the countryside.

Preschoolers

My Perfectly Purple Sticker Bag
by Gabrielle Mercer (£5.99)
One that little girls will love – drawings, stickers and puzzles, all
in a book shaped like a handbag.
There, There
by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Ivan Bates (£10.99)
By the author of ‘Guess How Much I Love You?’, this is perfect
for all toddlers and encourages their understanding and ability
to move on from life’s little mishaps.

Young Readers

Can You See Sassoon
by Sam Usher (£5.99)
This, like the following two books will suit fans of ‘Where’s
Wally.’ Search for Sassoon, a stripy snake who is a master of
concealment.
Where Are You Pip?
Illustrated by Karen Bendy (£4.99)
Pip is a black cat in a world of equally black cats. Trying to spot
Pip and her possessions is totally addictive.
Find Chaffy
by Jamie Smart (£5.99)
There are 10 Chaffies to find but they are difficult to spot
because they are prone to shape shifting. This book requires a
little concentration.

NEWS

Fiona Woodhead’s book, ‘Once-upon-aSlime’, see the feature opposite, is also
available at The Children’s Bookshop.

23

SUMMER ACTIVITIES at
10.00 – 2.00

EVERY WEDNESDAY

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

All events include a tea party! ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL – TICKETS ONLY!
Wed 24th July
Let’s get fancy at
The Edge Bakery

Let your little princess be pampered
in time for the ball.
icures, hair and accessories.
man
Mini
Decorate your own tiara.
You never know a real princess
may join you at the ball!
Cost £13.00

Wed 31st July
Pirate Extravaganza

Let Captain Carl take you on an
adventure across the high seas –
with games and activities to help you
on
your way. Watch out for
Polly Parrot & Little Dan!
Find out your real Pirate name.
Best dressed Pirate win’s a prize!
Cost £10.00

ust
Wed 28th Aug
Safety Day

Fire
Fire Man Sam &
lp of Fireman Sam!
he
th
wi
ss
Fire awarene
ﬁre brigade and the
A special visit from the
a real ﬁre engine!
on
opportunity to sit
joy. Cost £9.00
Games & crafts to en

7th August
Peppa Pig Fun Day

Enjoy fun and games with Peppa!
Story time, singing & dancing.
Let us take your photo with Pep
pa
and take it home. Cost £10.00